MESA, Ariz. — Apparently winning three individual awards last season — Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year — didn’t satiate the Cubs. Manager Joe Maddon believes the Cubs will start getting recognized for their gloves, with shortstop Addison Russell as a prime candidate for some hardware.

“A big part of that would be that he makes the routine play so well,” Maddon said. “A lot of times guys that have a little bit of a flare for the dramatic get a lot of the publicity — although he has that. But I just really like the chrome-less infielder that’s very basic. Boring in the sense that he knows how to pick up a groundball and throw it to first base without any fanfare. The guy who when the ball’s hit to shortstop you pretty much know it’s an out. You’re not holding your breath, you’re not waiting for the result, he’s that guy. Absolutely (he’s) a Gold Glove candidate.”

It's never too early to start...

SALE: Free trial and 30% off

Try The Athletic free for a week to get access to this article and more smart, in-depth coverage. Read and support quality journalism with this limited-time offer.